hola!
My name is Viviana and I go by Vivi. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, CA and am first generation Mexican-American. I describe myself as a Queer Cabrona :D
When I was young, I never thought I would work as a therapist and have the opportunity to speak on topics of mental health and healing. Mental health was not something we talked about in my Latine/x family. Actually we did not talk about a lot of things, especially the hard things. My parents emphasized being strong and staying positive.
Most of my life my father struggled with an alcohol addiction. This meant a lot of chaos, fights with my mother, times where he was in prison and overall unpredictability in meeting our basic needs.
I thought when I left for college that it was all in the past and I could move forward. It was the opposite. When I finally had room to breathe and time to notice myself, I started to notice all the ways I was impacted by my experience. I realized I was living in survival mode with little room for rest, joy and healing.
I started a journey to understand myself and this led to a professional and rewarding career as a therapist and educator.
In my private practice, I am excited to work with individuals and partnerships. I have a focus on providing accessible mental health to Latine/x, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, first-generation and immigrant folx.
I am trained in Somatics, Trauma-Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy and various trauma models. I am committed to offerings that are culturally empowering, trauma-informed and relationship centered.
As a Queer Latine/x therapist, I am also deeply committed to creating conversations about rest, self-compassion and healing in our communities. My book Let Yourself Cry, Cabrona! is my heart-offering to my Latine/x community. I am passionate about celebrating all Cabronas who lead, guide, and help us heal collectively. Your individual healing is part of our collective healing.
I am so excited that you are here and would be honored to work together.
-Vivi